Summerseat Village Plagued by Repeated Vehicle Collisions with Homes
Residents of the affluent village of Summerseat near Bury, Greater Manchester, are expressing profound fury and escalating fears as a disturbing pattern of vehicles crashing into their homes continues unabated. The community has been left terrified following a series of what locals describe as dangerous and alarming accidents that have seen cars smash directly into residential properties.
A Third Devastating Incident in Just Fifteen Months
The latest collision occurred in the early hours of 14 January 2026, when a saloon car veered off Bass Lane – a rural road with a 20mph limit – and demolished a garden wall. The driver sustained only minor injuries, but the incident has intensified concerns among homeowners who feel their safety is being compromised. This event marks the third serious crash involving properties on this stretch of road within a mere fifteen-month period.
Villagers point to a sharp bend outside one particular house as the focal point for these accidents. Ray and Debbie Groundland, who own the property most frequently impacted, were asleep during the most recent crash. In a strikingly similar incident at 1.30am on 19 December 2025, a VW Polo failed to navigate the same bend, sped up the couple's driveway, and collided with their home. The homeowners were jolted awake by a loud bang to find the very apologetic occupants of the Polo, who had fortunately escaped serious injury.
Root Causes and Community Frustrations
Local residents firmly believe the core problem stems from non-local drivers who fail to recognise that Bass Lane is a single-track country lane with designated passing points. Many out-of-town motorists are accused of driving at high speeds and displaying unwillingness to stop and allow others to pass, transforming the road into a notorious rat-run.
Ray Groundland, 59, who runs a garden rooms business and shares the property with his wife Debbie, 55, and their pet Staffordshire cross Tyson, voiced his frustration to the Manchester Evening News. "This is the third time now," he stated. "I'm not a big fan of speed bumps but we definitely need some speed bumps down that road and we need better lighting so people can see because it's a driveway entrance, so they don't overshoot it." He further suggested that recent road resurfacing prior to the 2024 crash may have inadvertently encouraged drivers to increase their speed along that section.
The first recorded incident in this troubling sequence happened on 25 October 2024, when Ray discovered an Audi that had crashed and come to rest across their driveway with its hazard lights blinking at 7am. Once again, the vehicle's occupants avoided serious harm.
Councillor Pledges Action and Community Consultation
Councillor John Southworth, representing the North Manor ward on Bury Council, has acknowledged the severity of the situation and pledged to address the issues. "It's extremely dangerous," he asserted. "I'm extremely concerned for the safety of residents and other road users, and this is why we are taking action. The next stage is to consult the residents about what they think should be done. We think physical measures are needed to sort this out."
The councillor also noted that the existing 20mph limit signs require replacement due to their faded and deteriorating condition, which may contribute to drivers ignoring the speed restriction.
Broader Issues of Bad Driving and Traffic Congestion
Beyond the dramatic crashes, Bass Lane has been the site of numerous complaints regarding poor driving behaviour. Villagers report witnessing confrontations between motorists, including instances where drivers have exited their vehicles to argue during stand-offs when two cars meet on the narrow lane. During rush hour, heavy traffic can cause significant delays, with some residents claiming it can "take 20 minutes to go a mile."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that no serious injuries were reported in the latest incident and that an investigation remains ongoing. The community now awaits tangible interventions to prevent further accidents and restore a sense of security to their leafy village.
